Mixed news for Laois football

Laois senior football manager Liam Kearns has received mixed news ahead of the O'Moore county's NFL clash with All-Ireland champions Kerry in Portlaoise on Saturday.

Corner-forward and free-taker Michael John Tierney has been ruled out of contention for a starting spot after he suffered a knock in a weekend challenge match against Cork.

Although minus their Nemo Rangers contingent, Conor Counihan's Cork side were too strong for Laois and recorded a 2-14 to 1-9 victory, in a game during which the midlanders led by two points at half-time with Tierney accounting for three points.

However, the news is not all bad for Kearns' side and breakingnews.ie has learned that All-Star defender Joe Higgins trained with the Laois football panel tonight.

The session took place at McCann Park, Portarlington and Higgins is expected to make a return to action this weekend against Kerry.

Higgins was one of three Laois players that won All-Star awards in 2003, and along with Fergal Byron and club-mate Tom Kelly, he decided to call it a day at the end of the 2007 championship.

However, it had been expected that Higgins or Kelly might make a cameo appearance for Laois during 2008, in a bid to give a boost to a side that has failed to build on their 2003 Leinster championship success.

Also Graiguecullen player Barry Brennan has returned to the fray. He played in the half-forward line in the loss to Cork.

Should Higgins start on Saturday for Laois, it will mark the defender's first game for the county since last August's All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Derry.

Laois need a victory on Saturday and for Kildare to beat Mayo on Sunday at Newbridge, to keep their hopes of playing in Division 1 next season alive.